Planing watercraft hull and propulsion system

ABSTRACT

An improved planing watercraft hull having reduced surface area in contact with the water resulting in a minimization of drag said hull capable of being adapted for use with a small, easily transportable waterjet propelled watercraft.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to an improved planingwatercraft hull and more particularly to a hull adapted for use with asmall, easily transportable waterjet propelled watercraft.

[0002] Personal watercraft currently enjoy widespread popularity due totheir ease of use and affordability. These watercraft typically employan internal combustion engine coupled with a waterjet propulsion systemoriented below the level of a seat for accommodating a rider asgenerally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,733 to Kobayashi,incorporated herein by reference. Other personal watercraft are intendedfor use by a standing or kneeling rider. All of these watercraft areheavy in weight and require a trailer or other means for transportingthe watercraft to the water, where the trailer and watercraft descend aboat ramp to enable the watercraft to access the water. In addition, thelarge size and heavy weight of these watercraft necessitate largeamounts of horsepower to enable the watercraft to achieve the speedrequired to attain an optimum planing orientation and performance.

[0003] Planing-type hulls are well-known and commonly incorporated inthe design of watercraft. The primary advantage provided by aplaning-type hull over hulls of other design, such as displacement-typehulls found in canoes and kayaks and the like, is that a planing-typehull rises out of the water vertically as the horizontal speed of thewatercraft increases, reducing the volume of the hull that is submergedthereby reducing drag and permitting higher speeds. The primary drawbackof planing-type hulls, particularly with respect to many of the narrowerhulls of the type found in contemporary personal watercraft, is the lackof stability when travelling in a straight line. This problem isexacerbated in rough waters. When such planing-type hulls are powered bymeans of water-jet propulsion, the tendency of the transom to rise withincreasing speed combined with rough waters inevitably results in a lossof power and control as the jet pump intake loses contact with thewater.

[0004] Watercraft of the prior art have sought by various methods anddesigns to solve the control problem inherent in jet-powered watercrafthaving planing-type hulls. U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,542 to Holmes,incorporated herein by reference, is directed to a boat for use with awaterjet propulsion unit incorporating a planing hull having a generallyV-shaped bottom with a depending flat-bottomed support pod andstabilizing strakes. U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,846 to England, incorporatedherein by reference, is directed to a shallow draft boat hull for usewith a waterjet propulsion unit, said hull comprising an elongate stepextending longitudinally of the bottom along the keel forwardly from thetransom. These prior art arrangements sought to improve straight aheadstability but at the cost of speed due to the increased resistance withthe water surface of the structures depending from the hull.

[0005] In addition, waterjet powered personal watercraft currentlyalmost uniformly employ a two-stroke engine because of the highhorsepower output provided by the two-stroke engine. However, two-strokeengines contribute high levels of pollution to waterways, especiallywhen used in tandem with an exhaust system which injects exhaustdirectly into the water. The use of a four stroke engine minimizes waterpollution compared to two-stroke engines used in the majority ofwatercraft. In conventional watercraft employing a two-stroke marineengine, between 25 and 35 percent of all of the gasoline in the tank isdischarged through the tailpipe unburned and directly into the waterwaybecause water is drawn into the engine for cooling and then mixed withexhaust and expelled. The design of the two-stroke engine allowsunburned fuel to enter the cylinder at the same time the burned residuefrom the previous stroke is expelled from the engine. In addition, in atwo-stroke engine lubricating motor oil mixes with gasoline, and as aresult the expelled unburned gasoline contains heavier, non-evaporatingmotor oils. A four-stroke engine, on the other hand, has a dedicatedcombustion and exhaust stroke, substantially eliminating the problem ofescaping unburned fuel. The use in the present invention of afour-stroke engine in combination with an exhaust system which expelsexhaust into the air therefore represents an improvement over personalwatercraft of the prior art.

[0006] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide an improved hull for a watercraft having stability whilestationary and at low speed as well as stability and minimal waterresistance when travelling at high speed straight ahead.

[0007] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide animproved hull which reduces the structural stress concentration withinthe hull and provides an efficient means for removal of water thatotherwise would create secondary drag.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide animproved hull for a watercraft which facilitates boarding of thewatercraft from the water; particularly deep water.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide alightweight waterjet powered watercraft having an improved hull.

[0010] It is still another object of the present invention to provide awaterjet powered water craft with a removable power source so that thewatercraft may be carried by a single person and transported without theneed of a trailer.

[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide animproved hull which minimizes weight bias balance problems.

[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved exhaust system for a watercraft comprising the improved hull.

[0013] It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved waterjet pump system for a watercraft comprising the improvedhull.

[0014] It is a still further object of the present invention to providean environmentally friendly power supply for a watercraft comprising theimproved hull.

[0015] These and other objects of the invention will become clear froman inspection of the detailed description of the invention and from theappended Claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A novel planing boat hull has been developed which has an upperdeck portion and a lower hull portion, a fore and an aft portion, a bow,a stern and a cockpit. The hull is configured having a bow taperingoutwardly and increasing in width gradually to a point proximal to therear of the cockpit at which point the width of the hull narrows andtapers inwardly. The inward taper of the hull flattens sternward so thatopposing longitudinal sides of the aft portion of the hull aresubstantially parallel for a length, taper slightly and meet forming thestern. The lower hull portion comprises, in front elevationalcross-section, a shallow V-shaped bottom face which extendssubstantially from the bow to the stern. The bottom face of the lowerhull portion gradually curves upwardly toward the bow and furthercomprises a substantially T-shaped planing surface. The upper deckportion of the hull comprises a more gradual taper as the transition ismade sternward from the fore portion of the hull to the aft portion thanin the lower hull portion. The hull of the present invention providesoptimum stability in the straight ahead direction while minimizing waterresistance, thus enabling relatively high speeds with a minimum ofhorsepower. The hull further provides optimum stability when stationaryin the water and when travelling at low speeds. The addition in apreferred embodiment of strakes to the fore portion of the hull providesincreased stability with a minimum of drag at high speeds. The hullconfiguration also allows a rider to easily access the cockpit of thehull from the water because the narrower aft portion provides access tothe cockpit closer to the center line of the hull than is possible in ahull having a traditional beam.

[0017] An opening is formed in the upper deck of the hull for receivinga power source into a compartment formed between the upper deck andlower hull. At least one watertight hatch covers said opening, saidhatch further comprising at least one air intake port. The cockpitfurther comprises at least one seat for accommodating at least onerider. The hull further comprises at least one air exhaust port formedin the upper deck of the aft portion. In one embodiment the air exhaustport further comprises a cover which is movable between an open andclosed position to prevent the entry of water into the enginecompartment if the hull is capsized. In another embodiment the exhaustport is formed in said hatch. In another embodiment the hull furthercomprises a plurality of openings formed therein covered by watertighthatches for storage of valuables, safety gear and the like. In apreferred embodiment the invention further comprises a waterjetpropulsion unit contained in said hull connected to the power source,steering means and a throttle means. The water jet propulsion unitfurther comprises a water intake duct, a pump assembly comprising apump, a pump shaft and a shaft coupling device and a stern steeringnozzle. In one embodiment the power source comprises a fuel source suchas but not limited to a fuel tank or battery and an engine, an exhaustmanifold, a drive shaft with or without a torque converter and aconnector means for connecting the fuel source to the motor or engine.In the preferred embodiments, the engine is cooled by an air coolingsystem comprising an air intake duct coupled with an air intake portformed in the engine compartment hatch. Air is introduced to the enginecompartment and circulated therein and expelled through a plurality ofair exhaust ports. In yet another embodiment the fuel source is abattery and solar panels are disposed on or above the upper deck portionof the hull and the battery is connected to the solar panels to collectand store energy. In still another embodiment the power source isremovably mountable in the engine compartment through said hatch. Thewaterjet propulsion unit may also be removably mounted to the hull. Atleast one handle means may be formed in the hull to facilitate transportof the hull. In still another preferred embodiment, the hull comprisestwo discrete, connectible units, the waterjet propulsion unit and atleast one element of the power source being contained within the aftportion.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment the pump assembly comprises aspecialized pump designed to operate at the limits of the power source.In another embodiment, the weight of the propulsion unit and powersource is distributed to facilitate easy righting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the hull according to this invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the hull of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the hull of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the hull of FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the hull of FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 5a is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of thehull of FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a watercraft according to a preferredembodiment of the invention.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the watercraft of FIG. 6.

[0027]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

[0028]FIG. 8a is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 8.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a top sectional view of one embodiment of the pumpaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of the pumpaccording to FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 the invention comprises a planinghull 2 having essentially an upper deck portion 4 and a lower hullportion 6, said upper deck and lower hull portions 4 and 6 securedtogether by any suitable means. Hull 2 may comprise a unitaryconstruction wherein said upper deck portion 4 and lower hull portion 6are formed together in one piece. The hull 2 may be formed of anysuitable material including but not limited to molded plastic,fiberglass, reinforced fiberglass, epoxy resin, polycarbonate, and thelike. In a preferred embodiment the hull 2 is a monocoque or one piecehull formed of a high density polyethylene resin such as but not limitedto superlinear polyethylene by an environmentally friendly rotomoldingprocess.

[0032] The hull 2 further comprises a fore portion 8, an aft portion 10,a stern 12 and a cockpit 14. As best seen in FIG. 1, the fore portion 8of the hull 2 comprises opposing longitudinal sides 18 and 20 meeting ata bow 22, said bow 22 tapering outwardly, increasing in width graduallyto a point 24 proximal to the rear of the cockpit 14, at which point 24the width of the hull 2 narrows and tapers inwardly. Fore portion 8 maycomprise a bulkhead aft of cockpit 14 forming a closure of the foreportion 8 of the hull 2. The point 24 at which the hull 2 begins tonarrow substantially defines the start of the transition 23 between theend of the fore portion 8 and the beginning of the aft portion 10. Theinward taper of the hull 2 flattens sternward so that the opposinglongitudinal sides 18 and 20 of the aft portion 10 of the hull 2 aresubstantially parallel for a length and meet forming the stern 12. Themaximum width of the aft portion 10 of the hull 2 is in the range ofapproximately ⅕ to approximately ⅘ of the width of the fore portion 8.In a preferred embodiment the width of the aft portion 10 isapproximately ½ the width of the fore portion 8 at the widest portion onthe fore portion 8.

[0033] Now referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower hull portion 6comprises in cross section a shallow V-shaped bottom face 26, acenterline 32 forming the bottom of said V, said shallow V-shapeextending substantially from the bow 22 to the stern 12. The bottom face26 of the lower hull portion 6 extends outwardly from either side-of thecenterline 32 forming a V-shaped bottom face 26. Referring next to FIG.2, the bottom face 26 of the lower hull portion 6 of the fore portion 8gradually curves upwardly toward the bow 22. Now referring to FIGS. 3, 4and 5, the bottom face 26 of the lower hull portion 6 further comprisesa substantially T-shaped planing surface comprising the bottom face ofnarrow aft portion 10 joined to the bottom face of wider fore portion 8of the hull 2 and edges 25, 27, 28 and 29. The upper deck portion 4 ofthe hull 2 comprises a more gradual taper as the transition 23 is madesternward from the fore portion 8 of the hull 2 to the aft portion 10than in the lower hull portion 6. This construction reduces the stressconcentration of the transition 23 and provides an efficient means forwater management, i.e., removal of water that otherwise would createsecondary drag.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment the hull 2 is approximately twelve feetin length and approximately three feet in diameter at the widest portionof the fore portion 8. The width of the aft portion 10 in the preferredembodiment is in the range of approximately seventeen to twenty fourinches.

[0035] Now referring to FIG. 5a, in another preferred embodiment thefore portion 8 of the hull 2 is equipped with at least one pair ofstrakes 35 along either side of the center line 32.

[0036] It has been discovered that the hull configuration of the presentinvention provides surprisingly good stability in the straight aheaddirection while minimizing the amount of water resistance encountered,providing an efficient means for travelling at relatively high speedswith a minimum of horsepower. As speed increases, the fore portion 8 ofthe hull 2 rises above the surface of the water, leaving substantiallyonly the bottom face of the aft portion 10 and a minimal surface area ofthe fore portion 8 in contact with the water. The reduced surface areain contact with the water results in a minimization of drag andtherefore an optimization of horsepower. The addition of strakes in thepreferred embodiment add lateral stability without sacrificingefficiency at high speeds because the strakes are above the water lineat elevated speeds.

[0037] The hull configuration also allows a rider to easily access thecockpit 14 of the hull 2 from the water because the narrower aft portion10 provides access to the cockpit 14 closer to the center line 32 of thehull 2 than would be possible in a hull having a wider beam. Thus, thehull 2 is less apt to tip toward the boarding rider.

[0038] Tests were conducted using the hull 2 of the present invention toevaluate the efficiencies of the hull configuration. Tables 1 lists theresults: TABLE 1 Estimated Shaft Speed Trim Draft Drag HP HP Run (mph)(deg) (ft) (lb) (EHP) (SHP) Configuration B3: 2 passengers, driver aft,with strakes 134 0.00 −1.88 0.488 0.00 0.00 0.00 135 15.05 3.90 0.19073.79 2.96 4.47 136 24.98 1.93 0.083 79.88 5.32 8.04 Configuration B1,driver only, aft, with strakes 137 0.00 −0.63 0.393 0.00 0.00 0.00 13815.04 3.67 0.078 50.35 2.02 3.05 139 24.95 2.79 0.028 62.27 4.14 6.26Configuration C3, 2 passengers, driver aft, no strakes 140 0.00 −1.950.475 0.00 0.00 0.00 141 15.04 3.55 0.200 68.94 2.77 4.18 142 24.95 1.910.088 79.63 5.31 8.01 Configuration C1, driver only, aft, no strakes 1430.00 −0.71 0.387 0.00 0.00 0.00 144 15.09 3.49 0.087 48.12 1.94 2.93 14525.08 2.78 0.035 60.79 4.07 6.14

[0039] Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in another preferred embodiment awatercraft constructed in accordance with the hull 2 of the presentinvention comprises hull 2, a cockpit 14 formed in the upper deck 4 ofhull 2, an opening 40 formed in the upper deck 4 of the aft portion 10for receiving a power source such as but not limited to an engine and afuel tank into a compartment 42 formed between the upper deck 4 andlower hull 6 and at least one watertight hatch 44 for covering saidopening 42. Said hatch further comprises an air intake port 46. Thecockpit 14 further comprises at least one seat (not shown) foraccommodating at least one rider 80. The hull 2 further comprises atleast one air exhaust port 48 formed in the upper deck 4 of the aftportion 10. In one embodiment the air exhaust port 48 further comprisesa cover 49 which is movable between an open and closed position toprevent the entry of water into the compartment 42 if the hull 2 iscapsized. In another embodiment the exhaust port 48 comprises an openingin the hatch 44. The hull 2 may further comprise a plurality of openingsformed therein covered by watertight hatches for storage of valuables,safety gear and the like. The hull may further comprise a bulkhead 41forming a barrier between the cockpit 14 and compartment 42. Bulkhead 41is preferably fireproof.

[0040] The watercraft according to the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 6and 7 further comprises a waterjet propulsion unit 50, a power source70, steering means (not shown) and a throttle means (not shown).

[0041] As best seen in FIG. 7, water jet propulsion unit 50 furthercomprises a water intake duct 52, a pump assembly comprising a pump 54,a pump shaft 56 and a shaft coupling device 58, and a stern steeringnozzle 59 of known design such as that described in U.S. Pat. No.4,047,494, incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, power source 70 further comprisesa fuel source 72, such as but not limited to a fuel tank or battery, anengine 74 such as but not limited to a Honda four stroke engine or acombustion engine of any number of cycles or an electric-motor, anignition means (not shown), an exhaust manifold 76, a drive shaft 78with or without a torque converter, and a connector means 79 forconnecting the fuel source to the motor or engine, such as a fuel linewhere the engine is a combustion engine or an electrical cable whereinthe motor is electric. The engine 74 may be water-cooled; however, inthe preferred embodiments, the engine 74 is cooled by an air coolingsystem comprising air intake duct 47 coupled with air intake port 46formed in the hatch 44. Air is introduced to the engine 74 for coolingand expelled through at least one air exhaust port 48 to facilitate airexchange. In this preferred embodiment the exhaust manifold 76communicates with at least one of air exhaust ports 48 so that exhaustis expelled into the air rather than into the water as is customary withmost watercraft. In this manner the environmental impact on aquatic andmarine systems is minimized.

[0043] The combination of the design of hull 2 and the weight andlocation of the propulsion unit 50 and power source 70 results in ahighly balanced watercraft which resists tipping and if the watercraftof the present invention rolls, the watercraft is easily righted.

[0044] In yet another embodiment the fuel source is a battery (notshown) located in the compartment 42 and solar panels (not shown) aredisposed on or above the upper deck portion 4 of the hull 2 of thewatercraft and the battery is connected to the solar panels to collectand store energy.

[0045] A cable 57 connects steering nozzle 59 to a steering means (notshown) such as but not limited to a wheel or stick to enable an operatorto steer the watercraft.

[0046] Throttle means (not shown) may comprise any throttle meanscommonly found in pleasure craft such as but not limited to a throttlecable connecting the power source 70 to a stick, handlebar throttle orpedal means.

[0047] A flexibility closure such as a spray skirt for keeping thecockpit 14 watertight is not shown. At least one handle means (notshown) may be formed in the hull 2 to facilitate transport of the hull2. Furthermore, it is contemplated that cockpit 14 may be modified toaccommodate more than one person. The driver 80 of the watercraft of thepreferred embodiment may be seated fore or aft in the cockpit, eitherbehind or in front of a passenger.

[0048] Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, power source 70 turns drive shaft78 through coupling 58 which in turn transfers rotational power to thewaterjet propulsion unit 50 via the pump shaft 56. The coupling 58 canbe direct drive or can incorporate a torque converter. The pump assemblyreceives water via water intake duct 52 and accelerates the water andcommunicates it through pump 54. Water is ejected to the stern steeringnozzle 59.

[0049] In another embodiment the power source 70 and/or the waterjetpropulsion unit 50 are removably mountable in the compartment 42. Accessto said removably mounted power source 70 and/or waterjet propulsionunit is through hatch 44. Power source mounting means (not shown) may beof any type such as but not limited to clamping means whereby the powersource and/or fuel source are clamped to load dispersing rails, slidableengagement means such as tongue and groove-type assemblies, mountingmeans disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/861,845,incorporated herein by reference, and the like. Waterjet propulsion unit50 comprising pump 54, a pump shaft 56 and shaft coupling device 58 maybe removably mounted to the hull 2 by similar means to sealingly engagesaid water intake duct 52. Coupling 58 may be disengaged to disconnectpower source 70 from waterjet propulsion unit 50.

[0050] Now turning to FIGS. 8 and 8 a, in still another preferredembodiment, hull 2 comprises two discrete, connectible unitssubstantially comprising the fore portion 8 and the aft portion 10 tofacilitate transport of the watercraft out of the water. In a mostpreferred embodiment, the waterjet propulsion unit 50 and engine 74 arecontained within the aft portion 10. The fore portion 8 contains fuelsource 72. Alternatively, the entire power source may be contained ineither the fore portion 8 or the aft portion 10. The fore portion 8 andaft portion 10 further comprise complementary connectible mating meansof known design for connecting said fore and aft portions 8 and 10. Inthe most So 2 0 preferred embodiment the mating means comprises at leastone male register 90 and at least one female register 92. Male register90 is received in female register 92 to ensure secure alignment of saidfore and aft portions 8 and 10 and at least one over-center clamp 94 orother suitable clamping means secures said fore and aft portions 8 and10. A handle means (not shown) for facilitating carrying of the discretefore and aft portions 8 and 10 of the hull 2 are formed in each of therespective portions 8 and 10.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment the pump assembly comprises aspecialized pump designed to operate at the limits of the power source.In a most preferred embodiment the power source 70 is a Honda air-cooledfour-stroke overhead cam single cylinder engine such as the GC 160(horizontal shaft) engine comprising a displacement of 160 cc and acompression ratio of 8.5:1, having a maximum power output of 5.0horsepower/3,600 rpm and 7.6 ft.-lbs of torque and is coupled with saidspecialized pump. Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the pump 54 employsan axial flow pump system comprising a plurality of rotor vanes 51, aventuri/stator vane 53, and at least one rotor 55 having a diameter inthe range of about 3 inches and about 5 inches and preferablyapproximately 3.91 inches and a jet diameter in the range of about 1.5inches and about 3.5 inches and preferably approximately 2.43 inches.Pump 54 further comprises a hub cone 60, a plurality of seals 61,venturi/stator 62, a plurality of bearings 63 and housing 64. This mostpreferred embodiment resulted in a flow of 749 gallons per minute, 49.3pounds of thrust, a jet velocity of 52.0 feet/second and a pumpefficiency 80 percent. In this embodiment the water inlet 52 comprises ascoop formed in the bottom of hull 2.

[0052] While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A planing hull comprising a bow, a stern, a fore portion, an aftportion, an upper deck portion and a lower hull portion, said lower hullportion further comprising a substantially T-shaped bottom face, saidbottom face substantially comprising the lower hull portions of saidfore portion and said aft portion, said fore portion comprising said bowtapering outwardly toward said stern to a point proximal said stern,said aft portion comprising said stern extending to said point proximalsaid stern, said bottom face of said lower hull portion of said foreportion gradually curving upwardly toward said bow and furthercomprising a centerline formed in said bottom face of said lower hullportion, said bottom face of said lower hull portion extending outwardlyfrom opposite sides of said centerline forming a V-shaped bottom face.2. The planing hull according to claim 1 further comprising at least onecockpit formed in said upper deck portion.
 3. The planing hull accordingto claim 2 further comprising at least one compartment formed withinsaid upper deck and said lower hull portion.
 4. The planing hullaccording to claim 3 further wherein said compartment further comprisesan opening in said upper deck for receiving a power source, and whereinsaid hull further comprises at least one watertight hatch for sealingsaid opening.
 5. The planing hull according to claim 4 wherein saidcompartment further comprises a power source mounted therein.
 6. Theplaning hull according to claim 5 wherein said power source is removablymounted.
 7. The planing hull according to claim 6 wherein said powersource is a motor linked to a fuel source.
 8. The planing hull accordingto claim 7 further comprising a means for accelerating water sternwardand an intake means communicating with a body of water on which the hullis located for providing water to the means for accelerating water. 9.The planing hull according to claim 8 further comprising a means forconnecting said power source to said means for accelerating watersternward, a means for steering said planing hull and a throttle meansoperatively connected to said power source and controllable by anoperator of said planing hull.
 10. The planing hull according to claim 9wherein said means for accelerating water sternward is contained withinsaid compartment.
 11. The planing hull according to claim 10 whereinsaid means for accelerating water sternward is removably mounted withinsaid compartment.
 12. The planing hull according to claim 11 wherein thefuel source is a tank for containing combustible fuel and the motor isan internal combustion engine.
 13. The planing hull according to claim11 wherein the fuel source is a battery and the motor is an electricmotor.
 14. The planing hull according to claim 8 wherein the means foraccelerating water sternward is a water jet propulsion unit.
 15. Theplaning hull according to claim 8 wherein the power source and the meansfor accelerating water sternward are disposed such that the watercraftis self-righting.
 16. The planing hull according to claim 12 whereinsaid motor is a four-stroke engine.
 17. The planing hull according toclaim 1 further comprising at least one pair of strakes formed on saidbottom face of said hull.
 18. The planing hull according to claim 9further comprising at least one pair of strakes formed on said bottomface of said hull.
 19. The planing hull according to claim 1 furthercomprising a handle means formed therein for carrying said hull.
 20. Aplaning hull comprising a bow, a stern, a fore portion, an aft portion,an upper deck portion and a lower hull portion, said lower hull portionfurther comprising a substantially T-shaped bottom face, said bottomface substantially comprising the lower hull portions of said foreportion and said aft portion, said fore portion comprising said bowtapering outwardly toward said stern to a point proximal said stern,said aft portion comprising said stern extending to said point proximalsaid stern, said bottom face of said lower hull portion of said foreportion gradually curving upwardly toward said bow and furthercomprising a centerline formed in said bottom face of said lower hullportion, said bottom face of said lower hull portion extending outwardlyfrom opposite sides of said centerline forming a V-shaped bottom face,at least one cockpit formed in said upper deck portion, at least onecompartment formed within said upper deck and said lower hull portion,said compartment further comprising an opening in said upper deck forreceiving a power source, said hull further comprising at least onewatertight hatch for sealing said opening, and a power source mounted insaid compartment; a means for accelerating water sternward disposedwithin said hull and an intake means communicating with a body of wateron which the hull is located for providing water to the means foraccelerating water, a means for connecting said power source to saidmeans for accelerating water sternward, a means for steering saidplaning hull and a throttle means operatively connected to said powersource and controllable by an operator of said planing hull.
 21. Theplaning hull according to claim 20 wherein said power source isremovably mounted.
 22. The planing hull according to claim 21 whereinsaid means for accelerating water sternward is contained within saidcompartment.
 23. The planing hull according to claim 22 wherein saidmeans for accelerating water sternward is removably mounted within saidcompartment.
 24. The planing hull according to claim 23 wherein themeans for accelerating water sternward is a water jet propulsion unit.25. The planing hull according to claim 24 wherein the power source is atank for containing combustible fuel and the motor is an internalcombustion engine.
 26. The planing hull according to claim 25 whereinsaid motor is a four-stroke engine.
 27. The planing hull according toclaim 24 wherein the fuel source is a battery and the motor is anelectric motor.
 28. The planing hull according to claim 20 wherein thepower source and the means for accelerating water sternward are disposedsuch that the watercraft is self-righting.
 29. The planing hullaccording to claim 20 further comprising at least one pair of strakesformed on said bottom face of said hull.
 30. The planing hull accordingto claim 1 wherein said hull comprises two discrete, connectible unitscomprising said fore portion and said aft portion, said fore portion andsaid aft portion further comprising complementary connectible matingmeans for connecting said fore and aft portions to form said hull. 31.The planing hull according to claim 20 wherein said hull comprises twodiscrete, connectible units comprising said fore portion and said aftportion, said aft portion further comprising said means for acceleratingwater sternward and said power source, said fore portion and said aftportion further comprising complementary connectible mating means forconnecting said fore and aft portions to form said hull, and furthercomprising handle means formed in each of the fore portion and aftportion.
 32. The planing hull according to claim 1 further comprising apower source mounted thereon.
 33. The planing hull according to claim 32wherein said power source is removably mounted.
 34. The planing hullaccording to claim 1 further comprising a power source and a means foraccelerating water sternward.
 35. The planing hull according to claim 34further comprising an intake means for communicating with a body ofwater on which the hull is located for providing water to the means foraccelerating water.
 36. A watercraft comprised of a fore portion havinga longitudinal centerline and opposing longitudinal sides that extendfrom the watercraft bow symmetrically around said centerline to a pointof maximum width; an aft portion having a width one-fifth to four-fifthsthe width of the point of maximum width of the fore portion; and atransition section between said fore and aft portions.
 37. A watercraftas in claim 36 wherein the width of the aft portion is approximatelyone-half the width of the maximum width of the fore portion.
 38. Awatercraft as in claim 37 further comprising a lower hull formedcontinuously through the fore and aft portions configured in a V-shapeand a T-shaped planing surface formed of the lower hull portion of theaft portion and the lower hull portion at the point of maximum width ofthe fore portion.
 39. A watercraft as in claim 38 further comprising acockpit in the fore portion and propulsion means in the aft portion. 40.A planing hull according to claim 1 wherein said hull is formed of amaterial selected from the group consisting of plastic, fiberglass,reinforced fiberglass, epoxy resin, and polycarbonate.
 41. A planinghull according to claim 1 wherein said hull is monocoque.
 42. A planinghull according to claim 41 wherein said hull is formed of polyethyleneby rotomolding.
 43. A planing hull according to claim 14 wherein saidjet propulsion unit further comprises an axial flow pump comprising aplurality of rotor vanes, at least one stator vane and at least onerotor having a diameter of between about 3 inches and about 5 inches anda jet diameter of between about 1.5 inches and about 3.5 inches.
 44. Aplaning hull according to claim 43 wherein said rotor has a diameter ofabout 3.91 inches and said pump jet has a diameter of approximately 2.43inches.
 45. A planing hull according to claim 20 wherein said jetpropulsion unit further comprises an axial flow pump comprising aplurality of rotor vanes, at least one stator vane and at least onerotor having a diameter of between about 3 inches and about 5 inches anda jet diameter of between about 1.5 inches and about 3.5 inches.
 46. Aplaning hull according to claim 45 wherein said rotor has a diameter ofabout 3.91 inches and said pump jet has a diameter of approximately 2.43inches.
 47. A planing hull according to claim 35 wherein said jetpropulsion unit further comprises an axial flow pump comprising aplurality of rotor vanes, at least one stator vane and at least onerotor having a diameter of between about 3 inches and about 5 inches anda jet diameter of between about 1.5 inches and about 3.5 inches.
 48. Aplaning hull according to claim 47 wherein said rotor has a diameter ofabout 3.91 inches and said pump jet has a diameter of approximately 2.43inches.